Pokey Sticks

If you went to a big college town in the midwest (Madison, Iowa City), you probably know what Gumby's Pizza is.  And you have probably had Pokey Sticks a time or two in your day.  Do you remember how good they were?  Oh my goodness, they were like pure heaven with dough and cheese.  Well, now that I am out of college, and don't live near Gumby's, I had to figure out a way to fill the void.  My husband is very grateful that I have! 

Now....If you have never had these, they are a meal.  They could be described as cheesy breadsticks, but they aren't just an appetizer.  Both of our parents had heard us talk about these, but didn't get it.  So finally we made them when they were around.  I think they finally go it, full meal, not just breadsticks!  Think of it as pizza, with different sauce, just cheese, in stick form :)  Dip in Ranch (I have not duplicated Gumby's Ranch, much to my husbands disappointment), or pizza sauce, and you have yourself a delicious, cheesy, buttery, meal.  This has come to be somewhat of a tradition in our house.  Sunday nights...Pokey Sticks and Amazing Race.  Pretty good combination :)  We even have a designated plate that is the "Pokey Stick plate".  If my son sees it in the dishwasher, he gets upset that we may have had Pokey Sticks without him!


Pokey Sticks
Inspiration from Gumby's Pizza
Printable Recipe

Dough
2 1/2 cups flour
1 Tbls Rapid Rise Yeast
1 tsp salt
1 tsp sugar
1 cup Hot water (115 degrees)
1 Tbls Canola oil

Topping
2 Tbls Parmesan Cheese
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp Italian seasoning
1/2 tsp onion powder
1/4 cup margarine, melted
1 cup Mozeralla Cheese

Mix together the dry ingredients for the dough.  Combine the water and oil, and mix into the dough.  Mix until it forms a ball.  Turn onto floured surface and knead for about 2-3 minutes.  Just until it is no longer sticky.  Put into a bowl sprayed with non-stick spray and let rise for 20-25 minutes, until it looks like this:



While the dough is rising mix together the cheese, and seasonings in a small bowl.  Now, margarine is not usually written into recipes, usually it is butter.  But for some reason I think margarine tastes more authentic in this.  Use whatever you want, but I buy the stick margarine just for Pokey Sticks.  Melt the margarine, and mix in the seasonings.



Spread the dough out onto a prepared baking sheet.  I like to grease it, and then sprinkle with corn meal so the dough doesn't get to soggy.  I just use my fingers to get the dough into about a 12 in circle.  Spread the margarine mixture around the entire surface, and top cheese. 



Bake at 450 degrees, for 12-14 minutes.  Now, when they come out, you have to make sure to cut them correctly :)  Cut once across the middle, and then cut opposite that way, to make little sticks.